News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

The figure includes 1,450 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Washington Post that Ratcliffe's visit involved "contacts between security services."

The Lukoil-owned NORSI plant in Nizhny Novogorod Oblast is the fourth-largest oil refinery in Russia.

Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said the Wildberries hub was hit in "a massive drone attack," causing a fire that has spread over 100,000 meters.

The visit marks the first face-to-face talks between Moscow and the Vatican since Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

"They don't believe in the strength of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's air defenses," the source said.

An oil refinery in Kazakhstan is set to process Russian crude and send 70% of its diesel and gasoline output back to Russia, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Aug. 25 amid shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks.

The incident marks one of the first known attempts to target a military equipment manufacturer in Slovakia, according to Dennik N.

The High Anti-Corruption Court on Aug. 25 placed Iryna Mudra, a former deputy head of the President's Office, in custody for two months in a graft case and set bail at Hr 20 million ($448,000).

"Сhildren cannot be used as instruments of war or occupation," First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausediene, said.

"Our contribution plays a major role in getting funds to Ukraine, but it is not sufficient on its own," a European Commission spokesperson said, adding that other partners must "follow suit."

Peter Novak, a Slovak with 25 years of experience in the IT and banking sectors, replaced former board member head Mykola Hladyschenko after he was officially dismissed from his position on Aug. 21 by the government due to his suspected involvement in a money laundering scheme.

The decision could help Ukraine move closer to producing the missiles at home. The U.K. has agreed to let European defense company MBDA share classified technical information on British-made parts of SCALP missiles with Ukraine, the U.K. government said on Aug. 24.